Procurement Specialist - Category Support

Procurement Specialist – Category Support

Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Together, we are building a culture and company from the people up – committed to teamwork, trust and transparency. People power progress. We're looking for top-tier talent and offer the flexibility you need to thrive and deliver lasting impact. Join us as we digitally connect the world and shape the future.

The Role

The Procurement Specialist – Category Support assists in the sourcing, contracting, and supplier management activities for assigned categories at Lumen Technologies. This role supports the development and execution of procurement strategies in alignment with business objectives, while helping to optimize supplier performance and value. The position contributes to market analysis, spend tracking, and supplier performance monitoring, and collaborates with internal teams to ensure effective procurement operations.

Work Location: This position has been designated as fully remote in the U.S.

The Main Responsibilities

Category Support and Analysis

• Assist in collecting and analyzing internal spend data and external market trends at the sub-category and supplier level.
• Support reporting efforts in collaboration with the Reporting & Analytics team.
• Help maintain visibility of category spend across business segments.

Fiber Construction Support

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support procurement activities related to fiber construction projects for Mass Markets and other business segments as needed.
• Assist in sourcing and onboarding suppliers for construction materials, labor, and services specific to fiber deployment.
• Track supplier performance and delivery timelines to ensure alignment with construction schedules.
• Support the coordination of RFX events and contract execution for fiber-related categories, including permitting, trenching, and installation services.

Strategy Implementation

• Contribute to the development of category strategy plans by compiling relevant data and insights.
• Support savings initiatives through RFX coordination, supplier negotiations, and demand management efforts.

Contract Administration

• Assist in managing contracts and coordinating with the Contracting Excellence team for tactical contract execution.
• Utilize standard contract templates and ensure compliance with approved legal terms.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in meetings with internal stakeholders to understand procurement needs and align on priorities.
• Maintain a calendar of recurring meetings to support planning and issue resolution.

Supplier Interaction

• Serve as a secondary point of contact for suppliers within assigned categories.
• Assist in monitoring supplier performance and preparing materials for supplier reviews and communications.
• Help identify supplier risks and support the evaluation of alternative sourcing options.

What We Look For in a Candidate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of 2–4 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain operations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with internal teams and suppliers.
• Experience supporting contract reviews and supplier performance discussions.
• Familiarity with procurement systems such as SAP and Ariba.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with intermediate skills in Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and organizational skills.

Compensation

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

Location Based Pay Ranges: $82,969 - $110,625 in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY

$87,117 - $116,156 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI

$91,266 - $121,688 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA

Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of health, life, voluntary lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional, and financial wellbeing.

Background Screening: If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page.

Equal Employment Opportunities: We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status.